TUSCALOOSA,
Alabama — Ole Miss is coming off one of the biggest recruiting seasons in
recent program history. The Rebels cleaned up in Hugh Freeze's first full
round.

So
how are those big names performing as true freshmen?

Let's
take a look at the stars and what they've done so far for the No. 21 Rebels as
they come to Tuscaloosa for a 5:30 p.m. Saturday meeting with No. 1 Alabama.

-- DE Robert
Nkemdiche (Consensus No. 1 overall recruit)

The
crown jewel of the class is tied for sixth on the team with 10 total tackles.
Of those stops, four were in the backfield. He's also broken up two passes and
recorded one quarterback hurry. Half of his tackles came against Southeast
Missouri State in the second game.

"He's
given us tremendous effort," coach Hugh Freeze said. "He's certainly is a
threat. He makes freshman mistakes like most of them do, but we're glad we have
him. He's definitely made our defense a better defensive team. Adjusting to the
grind is difficult for all of them, pretty much mentally. You have to get into
a routine. They're starting to settle in on that, he and all of the freshmen."

Tunsil
earned his first start the Rebels' last game at Texas on Sept. 14. The Lake
City, Fla., product played the all-important left tackle position in Ole Miss'
44-23 win in which the Rebels ran the ball effectively to the edge.

-- WR Laquan
Treadwell (No. 3 WR, No. 28 overall recruit)

In
his first three games, Treadwell is by far the Rebels' leading receiver. His 16
catches are five better than No. 2. His yardage doesn't lead the team (154
yards for a 9.6 average) and his 17-yard long is well below his peers. He
caught five passes for 45 yards to lead Ole Miss at Texas.

-- S Tony Conner
(No. 2 S, No. 32 overall recruit)

Conner
is also making an immediate impact after picking the Rebels over Alabama. His
14 tackles ranks fourth on the team. Seven of those stops came in the Texas
win. Conner also has an interception, pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. His
interception came in the first quarter of collegiate football at Vanderbilt in
the 39-35 win on opening weekend.

-- DL Lavon Hooks
(No. 1 JUCO recruit)

The
junior college product can apparently play both ways. Freeze said this week he'll
likely see action both on the defensive line and at tight end. He's appeared on
two games and assisted on one tackle.

"He's
learning," coach Hugh Freeze was quoted as saying in the Jackson Clarion-Ledger.
"He's swimming a bit. ... We've scaled back this week. We have one package for
him. I think he understands that, and he gives us a different look now."

-- OL Austin Golson
(No. 8 OT, No. 94 overall)

The
Prattville product came off the bench to play in all three Ole Miss games this
season.